DNF for Gordon at Iowa
(October
1, 2007) - DuBois, PA. A rare engine failure ended the
evening early Saturday night for Benny Gordon and his Samuel Metals
team at the second championship race in the 2007 season. The Iowa
Speedway is a great facility but has proven to be very tough on
engines. Whether it was the sustained rpms on the long
straight-a-ways or in the fast corners, quite a number of racers had
engine failures during the weekend. Unfortunately, Benny was one of
those who had engine problems.
“I was really looking forward to this race all season long”, said
Benny. “We did not get the opportunity to race our car for any
sustained runs last year due to the tire problems. We built a brand
new car for the championship run and targeted the Iowa race as the
track to bring it out. Friday was the first time this car has been
on any track. The only thing that was not brand new was the engine.
We were using one of the best motors that we own and it was just
freshened for the Iowa race. I hate that our night ended so early
but this is only the second engine failure that I have had in four
years. I think that says a lot for the durability of the Predator
engines.” For the record books three of the top four finishers
including the winner Matt Carter, Jay Fogleman and Mike Garvey had
Predator motors in their cars.
The weekend started on Friday with an all day open practice under
beautiful sunny skies. Benny and the North South Motorsports team
spent the day breaking in the new car and working on dialing it in.
“We set the car up in the shop on the springs and shocks we ran last
year,” said Benny. “We made a few design changes in this chassis and
it took some time to get the car to handle well and find the speed
we need to compete.”
As the afternoon wound down the hard work paid off for Benny with
consistent advances up the speed chart and most importantly the
handling that he wanted. At the conclusion of practice Benny was
satisfied with the progress and was looking forward to Saturday.
In addition to preparing the race car for the race Saturday night,
the North South Motorosports pit crew was asked to put on a pit stop
demonstration for the fans that had come out for Fan Appreciation
events at the track on Friday afternoon. The beautiful sunny skies
that had graced the track earlier during the day gradually clouded
in the afternoon finally giving way to passing rain showers just
prior to the demonstration. Hooters Officials asked if the team
wanted to call off the demonstration due to the damp conditions. The
crew excited and ready to put on a show for the fans was not ready
to give up and responded with thumbs up to continue.
With a large crowd of fans standing around the garage area the team
pulled out the back up car and prepped it for the demonstration.
Several of the crew member answered questions by the surrounding
fans while several others of the crew moved equipment out to pit
road. As if on queue, the rain stopped allowing driver Benny Gordon
to fire up the engine on his Samuels Metal, Predator Performance,
Johnny’s Suzuki, ADG, Murray’s Freightliner Ford Fusion. As the
engine warmed up, the crowd of fans grew behind the pit road
standing four to six deep to watch the pit demonstration. Gene
Crane, the voice of Hooters Racing introduced and interviewed the
crew while explaining to the crowd what they were going to see. With
a wave of his hand Gene signaled Benny to head to the pit. Benny
hammered the throttle and came screaming into the pit box. The North
South team quickly and efficiently whipped off and on four fresh
B.F. Goodrich tires and Benny tore out of the pits to the applause
of the crowd. Afterwards fans peppered the crew and driver with
questions as they moved the car and equipment back to the garage
area.
Next stop on the Championship schedule is Myrtle Beach on October 6.
This is a “home” track for Benny where he has earned a number of
wins. “I am looking forward to returning to the Beach”, said Benny.
“It is a track where we have had good success and I am confidant we
can rebound from 9th place in points.”
About Samuel
The Samuel Company is a family owned metal processing and
distributing company headquartered in Ontario, Canada with more than
80 facilities located throughout Canada and the United States and
more than 4500 employees. For more information about Samuel,
please visit www.samuel.com.
[Top]
